The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-08-06


Israeli duke ii. 25). Isaiah, who is called
the Evangelical Prophet, because of his hope
full and comforting words, and many encour-
aging predictions that are applied to the
Messiah, began the grandest of productions
attributed to him with, Comfort We, COM
fort ye, my people, saith your GoD" isaiah
xl. u, which was the keynote of his prophecy
that became the foundation of Israel's hope.
The substance of the first three beatitudes is
contained in Isaiah Xxi, the Scripture which
JEsUs read in the synagogue at Nazareth and
applied to himself "He hath anointed me to
preach the Gospel to the poor luke iv. 49,,
glad tidings unto the meek, to COM
fort all that mourn" Qsaiah). The Gospel
is consolatory. Faith in Cons universal,
never-failing love for mankind relieves all
sorrow of its bitterness and pain, and sug-
gests its benefcent purpose. 1t gives even
the blissful conviction that every prodigal,
every wanderer from the Fathers house,
every lost soul, will repent and return home
ward, through the help of JESUS, the lover of
souls.
4. The fourth beatitude is related to the
first. The spiritually needy are those
who "hunger and thirst after righteousness"
Theirs Is the qualification for the kingdom OF
heaven. Their desire is to do the will of COP.
Such desires shall be gratifed. Every desire
to do or to become good, is fully satisfied In
the attainment of goodness. The gratifica-
ton of purely earthly desires are often dis
appointing and unsatisfying. The desire for
holiness is completely satisfied with its at
tainment, and the consequent happiness
which is experienced. The mission OF the
Gospel is to awaken a desire for holiness in
every soul. 1t is the Office of the Holy Spirit
to perfect every quickened soul in holiness
and true happiness. Our faith assures us
that every "carnal mind will finally become
reconciled and obedient to the will of GOD,
and the natural (real or true) desire of every
soul shall be awakened to be fully satisfied in
the love and service of the Heavenly Father.
s. The characters described in the third
beatitude,-the second in the order in which
they are arranged in this Study,-are intro
duced in completer development in the fifth
and seventh The meek are described as
those who do not with violence resent an in
jury, who are not contentious, but who
patiently and trustfully endure wrong rather
than do wrong. The merciful are those who
feel pity and compassion toward the wrong
doer rather than resentment and anger, as
we'll as those who are disposed to relieve the
suffering and help the needy. The merciful
are in condition to receive and enjoy the
Divine mercy and compassion which are ex-
Ill T., !, b fv,rrT nfrr nf
heaven the gentler and loftier affections, and
those finer graces which mark the spirit of
brotherhood are exercised and receive full
recognition and recompense. He who for
gives is forgiven; true of mans relation to
Cop, true of mans to man. The kindly man
wins kindness, the merciful man mercy.
6. Ceremonial cleanness was required in
the Mosaic ritual of all those who would
stand before Cop, or approach to behold the
symbol of His presence in the tabernacle or
temple. This was symbol of purity OF
heart, the qualification of true 1sraelite.
The pure in heart enjoy the felicity of seeing
GoD,- perceiving his character and recogniz-
ing His presence,-as the subjects of king
dom are highly privileged to see their king.
True knowledge of Cop is attained not so
much through an intellectual comprehension
of His attributes, as by spiritual conformity
to His character. Without holiness no man
will see the LORD Hebrews xii. 14). "Holi-
ness and true happiness are inseparably CON-
nected."
7. By the conquest of war the Jews ex-
pected to see the kingdom of GoD ushered
in, when the most distinguished warriors
would receive the highest honors from the
reigning Messiah. But as the meek and the
merciful are specially favored subjects of the
heavenly kingdom which JESUS came to es-
tablish in the earth, the peacemakers enjoy
the higher distinction of being recognized
not merely as the most honored subjects, but
as sons of the King. To be ''sons of GoD"
is to be like Him who sent His well-beloved
Son into the world to bring "peace on earth
and goodwill to men," JESUS is called the
Prince of Peace. His kingdom is a kingdom
of peace. 1t required centuries for Christian
ity to overcome the spirit of war and hush
the noise of battle; but it has begun its work,
and we trust the day is not far distant when
the arbitrament of war will be laid aside,
and national ambitions subdued, and prac-
teal brotherhood of nations be established.
Meanwhile let the Christian spirit assuage
resentment and quarrel among individuals.
"As much as in you lieth be at peace with all
men" (Romans xii. 49,.
8. JESUS had already incurred the hatred of
the ruling Jews and Pnarisees, on account of
his righteous teachings and work. (See Luke
vi. I'll; Mark iii. g. But his soul was
swayed by the Divine principles of faith and
love and righteousness. In the face of per-
secation and death he continued his ministry.
For the JOY that was set before him, he en-
dured the cross, despising the shame. They
who have endured prosecutions that truth
and right might prevail, have feared COD
more than men. Theirs are the true quali6
cations for the kingdom of heaven. The
disciples were not to be above their Master
in this respect. He had been prosecuted:
hey would be. They were encouraged to
patiently endure ali reproach and persecu-
ton, and every false accusation, az even to
greatly rejoice in all this, having the assur-
ance that they should share in his heavenly
rewards. The ancient prophets had endured
and experienced the same. The souls peace
is assured in obedience to COP and in fellow
ship with His Spirit, and the heavenly reward
of righteousness and fidelity is the rich
graces of mind and heart that are developed,
and the spiritual experiences which are